I bought one yesterday! In Germany. In Freiburg! I'm so happy to be, now, the owner of a Leica M3, with a 50mm lens, f:2,8, double stroke, 1956 ! It's my very first Leica ! Now, I must learn, how this beautiful camera works ; and apparently, it's not going to be easy for me ! I can't explain it, but suddenly life is ..... different! Something changed in me ! It will pass, time to get used to it ?
I recently picked up a ‘61 single stroke M3 with a Summilux 50/1.4, single owner, almost perfect finish and vulcanite, from a thrift shop for $15. It’s currently out for a CLA at Red Dot Repair. Can’t wait to get it back and pass some rolls through it. I know Leicas and the people who shoot with them get a (somewhat rightful) bad rap sometimes, but unless you’ve held and shot with one you really can’t appreciate the craftsmanship and quality that goes into one. You just need to realize it’s not a magic wand that’ll make you a pro photographer just for using it.
On this early model, the lens release guard is removed. This is interesting because it is more like a late version m3 camera. However the camera lugs look like an early m3. The viewfinder seems upgraded. M3->M2->M1-M4->M5->M4-2->M4-P->M6 classic->M6 TTL->M7->MP I skipped MD, MDa, MD-2, CL and M-A
My uncle had a M3, many years ago. It had all the attachments and was modded to be single stroke. He showed me how to use it and take pics with it. At the time I was around 5-6 years old and it was my first intro to photography. Wish I knew what happened to the camera. None of my cousins were interested in photography. After my uncle passed away, I'd say one of my cousins got and probably sold it. Or, it's gathering dust somewhere at one of their places. Though, considering the last time I saw the camera was 50 years ago, I doubt they still have it.
Yes, probably someone, around you, a traitor, in secret, got, "stole" and sold it ... And you will probably never know, who in your family committed this un-fo-rgi-va-ble sacrilege ! A member of your family (who was certainly aware of the value of the camera) sold it .... for the money, only for money! ... and unfortunately you'll probably never see this wonderful camera of your dear uncle again! Your uncle should have given it to you or passed it on to you during his lifetime! Excuse me but : really, what a shame, what a great loss! It's to cry ...!!! I speak with so much empathie, because yesterday I bought one, and I'm so happy (read above Amia 67360) !
the advance lever on your camera may have been changed, but there were some very early 'transitional" single stroke M3 that left the factory with the old style lugs and the silent lever feature same as the double stroke version. I was lucky enough to find a one owner example just a few years ago. one of my favorite cameras looking closer is that a "no guard" body? - meaning there is no raised guard around the lens release button. Wasn't that guard left out only on the last runs of production is the 1960s?
Excellent vid and a very interesting M3 that surely went back to the factory for some upgrading. Funny that you say Leeka and we say Lyeka, you say Neekon and we in the US mostly say Nyekon. Not a criticism - each to their own! Beautiful looking M3!
I read a lot of the press photographers preferred the double stroke, they found the double stroke faster to advance due to the long stroke of the single.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 I have a OM-1 that I have to double stroke for some reason, I often use it because with arthritis in my hand it's easier than stroking one full stroke.
I have lived in Japan long enough to pick up the local pronunciation. Most people outside Japan mispronounce “Nikon” (the proper way is “knee-kon”) or even Canon.
I bought one yesterday! In Germany. In Freiburg! I'm so happy to be, now, the owner of a Leica M3, with a 50mm lens, f:2,8, double stroke, 1956 ! It's my very first Leica ! Now, I must learn, how this beautiful camera works ; and apparently, it's not going to be easy for me ! I can't explain it, but suddenly life is ..... different! Something changed in me ! It will pass, time to get used to it ?
What a beautiful camera. Great video!
I look forward to seeing what you post on the store.
I recently picked up a ‘61 single stroke M3 with a Summilux 50/1.4, single owner, almost perfect finish and vulcanite, from a thrift shop for $15. It’s currently out for a CLA at Red Dot Repair. Can’t wait to get it back and pass some rolls through it.
I know Leicas and the people who shoot with them get a (somewhat rightful) bad rap sometimes, but unless you’ve held and shot with one you really can’t appreciate the craftsmanship and quality that goes into one. You just need to realize it’s not a magic wand that’ll make you a pro photographer just for using it.
Holy sh!t that's a good find.
If you ever want to sell please let me know!
what the fuck
Hello from Kanagawa. Love your videos! Keep up the good work.
On this early model, the lens release guard is removed. This is interesting because it is more like a late version m3 camera. However the camera lugs look like an early m3. The viewfinder seems upgraded.
M3->M2->M1-M4->M5->M4-2->M4-P->M6 classic->M6 TTL->M7->MP
I skipped MD, MDa, MD-2, CL and M-A
My uncle had a M3, many years ago. It had all the attachments and was modded to be single stroke. He showed me how to use it and take pics with it. At the time I was around 5-6 years old and it was my first intro to photography. Wish I knew what happened to the camera. None of my cousins were interested in photography. After my uncle passed away, I'd say one of my cousins got and probably sold it. Or, it's gathering dust somewhere at one of their places. Though, considering the last time I saw the camera was 50 years ago, I doubt they still have it.
It's a shame, but maybe it will turn up one day.
Yes, probably someone, around you, a traitor, in secret, got, "stole" and sold it ... And you will probably never know, who in your family committed this un-fo-rgi-va-ble sacrilege ! A member of your family (who was certainly aware of the value of the camera) sold it .... for the money, only for money! ... and unfortunately you'll probably never see this wonderful camera of your dear uncle again! Your uncle should have given it to you or passed it on to you during his lifetime! Excuse me but : really, what a shame, what a great loss! It's to cry ...!!! I speak with so much empathie, because yesterday I bought one, and I'm so happy (read above Amia 67360) !
I have the same Leica M3 with the same lense. Greetings from Germany!
the advance lever on your camera may have been changed, but there were some very early 'transitional" single stroke M3 that left the factory with the old style lugs and the silent lever feature same as the double stroke version. I was lucky enough to find a one owner example just a few years ago. one of my favorite cameras
looking closer is that a "no guard" body? - meaning there is no raised guard around the lens release button. Wasn't that guard left out only on the last runs of production is the 1960s?
Excellent vid and a very interesting M3 that surely went back to the factory for some upgrading.
Funny that you say Leeka and we say Lyeka, you say Neekon and we in the US mostly say Nyekon.
Not a criticism - each to their own! Beautiful looking M3!
I've been in Japan long enough that I have picked up the Japanese pronunciation, though here they pronounce "Leica" as "Rai-ka."
the original name Leitz is pronounced lyetz not leetz.
Americans…they don’t know how to say foreign language.
I read a lot of the press photographers preferred the double stroke, they found the double stroke faster to advance due to the long stroke of the single.
For myself I don't have a real preference, I shot with a double stroke for a long time, and found it no more difficult to shoot with.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 I have a OM-1 that I have to double stroke for some reason, I often use it because with arthritis in my hand it's easier than stroking one full stroke.
Great analysis. The M3 rocks! Btw your voice sounds close to Jordan Peterson.
I miss my M3 too. I should have never sold it. Will you be putting this one up on the etsy site?
Hi Jeffrey, is this Leica still available?
and the leatherette is M6 era
Looks like this one has been modded by someone.
I was definitely looking at it going ‘that’s not factory vulcanite…’
Maybe you'd like to know that's it pronounced "Laica" and not "Leica". e and i in German make an "ai" sound, not an "ei" sound(:
The bottom plate lines up the film. You do not need to push anything around.
Pronounced LYCA not LAYCA ! You trade in cameras I am surprised you pronounce it wrong
I have lived in Japan long enough to pick up the local pronunciation. Most people outside Japan mispronounce “Nikon” (the proper way is “knee-kon”) or even Canon.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 yes I know NIKON how is Pronounced, it’s just the Americans who get it wrong. They need to learn the Japanese vowel sounds